Marcos wants Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act amended

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday called on Congress to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act to make it more responsive to the needs of farmers and boost exports of the commodity, as he said the administration seeks to plant up to 100 million coconut trees in the country.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said he will ask Congress to amend the law, but did not elaborate on amendments he is looking to pursue.

“Upang lubos na pasiglahin ang industriya ng niyog, hihilingin natin sa Kongreso na amyendahan ang Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, para maging mas angkop sa mga pangangailangan ng mga magsasaka,” he said.

“Bahagi lamang ito ng ginagawa nating malawakang pagpapalakas ng iba't iba pa nating industriya, kasama dito ang industriya ng asin, pagproseso at pag-export ng niyog,” he added.

(To further revitalize the coconut industry, we will ask Congress to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act to better respond to the needs of our farmers.

This is just part of our broader effort to strengthen our various industries, including the salt industry, and the processing and export of coconuts.)

The Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act or Republic Act 11524 was signed into law by former president Rodrigo Duterte on February 26 2021, and became effective on March 13, 2021.

“Milyon-milyong mga Pilipino ang umaasa sa puno ng niyog bilang pangunahing kabuhayan. Mula ngayong taon, hindi bababa sa labing-limang milyong hybrid at mataas na klaseng mga binhi ng niyog ang ating itatanim sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa at itutuloy natin ito hanggang isandaang milyong puno ng niyog ang ating maitatanim sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.

(Millions of Filipinos rely on coconut trees as their primary source of livelihood. Starting this year, we will plant no less than 15 million hybrid and high-quality coconut seedlings across the country. And we will continue this until we reach 100 million coconut trees planted throughout the Philippines.) — RF, GMA Integrated News